Sandcastle Kings by Rich Wilkerson

Sandcastle Kings by Rich Wilkerson ISBN-13: 9780718032685 Trade Paperback: 240 pages Publisher: Thomas Nelson Released: Nov. 10, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher through BookLook.

Book Description from BookLook:
In Sandcastle Kings, Rich Wilkerson uses four powerful stories from the seventh chapter of Luke to explain why spiritual fulfillment cannot be found in ourselves, in other people, in material things, or even in religion. By studying the stories of the centurion’s faith, the resurrection of the widow’s son, Jesus’ message about John the Baptist, and the anointing by the woman with the alabaster jar, you will be able to face your doubts and insecurities and overcome your anxiety, discontentment, and depression.

Wilkerson wants you to understand that the only answer for your spiritual bankruptcy is Jesus and that until you turn to him you will never experience the lasting peace and joy you so desperately crave.


My Review:
Sandcastle Kings is a spiritual growth book. The author looked at the accounts of four encounters with Jesus in Luke 7: the centurion with a sick servant, the widow going to bury her son, John's disciples asking Jesus if he really is the Christ, and the sinful woman who poured perfume on Jesus' feet

While there were some insights into the verses, he mainly drew a lesson from each section of verses and then gave a sermon on that topic. These lessons were biblically based and had a focus on Christ and on grace. He made some really good points. The tone was casual, and his points were easy to understand. He calls his readers to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Christ. I'd recommend this book.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Devotions on the Hebrew Bible by Milton Eng, Lee M. Fields

Devotions on the Hebrew Bible by Milton Eng & Lee M. Fields ISBN-13: 9780310494539 Paperback: 192 pages Publisher: Zondervan Released: October 27, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Devotions on the Hebrew Bible contains a devotion on every book in the Hebrew Bible and can be used as weekly devotional or as a supplemental resource throughout a semester or sequence of courses. The main point each devotion offers comes from a careful reading of the passage in the Hebrew Bible, not from the English Bible. The authors use a variety of exegetical approaches in their devotions: grammatical, lexical, rhetorical, sociohistorical, linguistic, etc. Each devotion closes with a practical application.


My Review:
Devotions on the Hebrew Bible is a collection of 54 devotions written by 38 different people. The stated intent is to demonstrate that a knowledge of the original languages can be spiritually rewarding. I'm self-taught to a level that I can basically do detailed word studies.

Most of these devotions could be read by someone unfamiliar with Hebrew. You'll gain insight into verses with a Hebrew word that doesn't translate well into English or a sentence pattern (chiasm, word plays, repetition, etc.) that is significant but lost with English translations. However, you'll follow the author's point better if you understand what statements like "qal passive participle" mean. A couple of the devotions were technical and focused on subtle nuances of meaning. Frankly, those lost me. But I enjoyed the rest and gained some interesting insights in the process.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Courageous Gentleness by Mary Ann Froehlich

Courageous Gentleness by Mary Ann Froehlich ISBN-13: 9781572938199 Paperback: 176 pages Publisher: Discovery House Publishers Released: June 1, 2014

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Am I gentle? It’s not a question we typically stop to ask ourselves. But God cares about the answer. Gentleness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that is supposed to mark the words and actions of every Christian. Scripture clearly indicates it is not an absence of strength or determination. Courageous Gentleness helps us to understand gentleness through the lens of the Bible and consider practical ways that gentleness speaks to a watching world. Cultivating it in our lives can transform relationships with family members, neighbors, coworkers, and even enemies.


My Review:
Courageous Gentleness is a study on biblical gentleness. The author examined what the Bible says about gentleness and whether Jesus is gentle. She discussed why gentleness is desirable (now that you understand that gentleness is strength under control) and pointed out that American Christians don't have the reputation of being gentle. Then she showed how other fruits of the spirit are linked to gentleness and how to express gentleness along with a quiet spirit, self-control, kindness, humbleness, patience, and in our communication.

I've read some good studies on the Fruit of the Spirit, so I wasn't sure how much I'd get out of this study. But I gained some new insights from this author. I felt that she made many good points, and her overall tone was encouraging (rather than condemning). At the end of each chapter, she included questions that make you think more deeply about the ideas presented in that chapter. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to better understand gentleness and to become more like Jesus.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Proverbs Prayers by John Mason

Proverbs Prayers by John Mason ISBN-13: 9780800726782 Paperback: 176 pages Publisher: Revell Released: September 15, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description from Back Cover:
The book of Proverbs is a wellspring of wisdom, offering practical guidance for life and the tools to make good choices, withstand pressure, prioritize relationships, and avoid unnecessary trouble.

Now bestselling author John Mason helps you make that wisdom a part of your inner life. For thirty-one days, he takes you through each chapter of Proverbs, unpacking the wisdom within and providing a heartfelt prayer based on the insights from that chapter. As you read and pray, you’ll discover the principles found in this wisdom-packed book coming alive in your life in ways you may never have imagined.


My Review:
Proverbs Prayers is about praying the principles found in Proverbs. The author included each chapter of Proverbs (NASB version) and a matching prayer based on the principles taught in that chapter. He didn't use the words directly from the verses, but it's close, and he made each prayer personal. For example, the prayer for Proverbs 15 started out, "Lord, if I have an occasion to be angry today, help me to give a peaceful response instead. Keep me from saying hard or hurtful words that stir up more anger."

Each chapter from Proverbs was printed as one big chunk, with no paragraphs or other white space. I found this difficult to read, so I ended up reading the chapter elsewhere then coming back to this book for the prayer section. I liked how he converted the proverbs into a personal, practical prayer. These are prayers you'll read/pray again and again.

I'd recommend this book to those who like to pray Scripture and who like some help with it.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

Parables by John F. MacArthur

Parables by John F. MacArthur ISBN-13: 978-1-4002-0348-2 Hardcover: 260 pages Publisher: Thomas Nelson Released: October 27, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher through BookLook.

Book Description from BookLook:
Pastor-teacher John MacArthur helps readers understand Jesus’ parables and how they relate to the whole of His message.

Jesus was a master storyteller, and the parables He told were ingeniously simple word pictures with profound spiritual lessons. Understanding the parables is a crucial matter for followers of Jesus. Jesus told parables so His people might comprehend His message about the kingdom of God clearly.

Master expositor and Bible commentator John MacArthur has spent a lifetime explaining the Word of God in clear and comprehensible terms. In Parables he helps Christians understand the essential lessons contained in the most famous and influential short stories the world has ever known.


My Review:
Parables is a spiritual growth book. The author explained why Jesus used parables and how the parables tie into Jesus' whole message. The focus wasn't on the parables so much as on themes in Jesus' teachings that are also illustrated in his parables.

The author began with what Jesus said about why he used parables. Then he looked at nine themes in Jesus' teachings along with some parables that further illustrated these teachings. For example, the chapter on God's justice and grace looked at the parable where laborers who worked different lengths of time all got the same pay.

The parables that the author included in this book are: the sower and four types of soil (Luke 8:5-8), treasure hidden in a field (Matt. 13:44), a pearl of great price (Matt. 13:45-46), laborers paid the same (Matt. 20:1-15), the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-31), two men pray in the temple (Luke 18:9-14), the good and bad servant (Matt. 24:45-51), 10 bridesmaids (Matt. 25:1-13), the talents (Matt. 25:14-30), the shrewd but unfaithful steward (Luke 16:1-8), Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31), and the widow and the unjust judge (Luke 17:22).

It was easy to understand the author's points and follow his reasoning. Overall, I'd recommend this book to those who want to better understand Jesus' teachings.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.